Sorry if this has been asked before but a search didn't throw anything up, so...

Going for dinner with friends in a couple of weeks' time. Any good restaurant recommendations near Bastille? I work in Paris but don't know this area of it particularly well.

Thanks

My daughter's favorite after her semester there was La Fee Verte, up r.d.la Roquette http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

Bofinger??

http://www.bofingerparis.com/en/

Stu Dudley

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

hmm yes Bofinger or the little cousin across the street

This is nice http://www.chez-margot.fr/

I like Bofinger and Le Petite Bofinger across the street.
But for a down market recommendation I also like Leon De Bruxelles right on the Bastille.

I like Bofinger, also.

I can't stand Bofinger, or it's little cousin across the street.
If you want decent food at a decent price, go a couple of blocks in the other direction - Le Temps des Cerises is a very good choice - 31 rue de la Cerisaie in the 4th arrondissement.

These are the hotels, you can go there-

L'Ecailler du Bistrot
La Bastille Restaurant
La Pulpéria
Caffé dei Cioppi

I go to Bofinger just to drool at the art nouveau ceiling. Opinion is divided about food though.

The "things not to do in Paris" on fodors homepage mentions not to eat at a fancy brasserie, among several other tips that I agree with. Then suggests you have a drink at Bofinger but go eat somewhere else.

Manouche, please do not tell people about Temps des Cerises. I remember when it was a neighborhood spot where everyone brought dogs and kissed babies. It is more ambitious now but not to be disclosed to everyone!

I think Bofinger's food is good. It's not cheap, though, but some dishes are more reasonable than others. And it is a pleasant experience, also, for the ambience. It is certainly "decent." Never eaten at their place across the street.

it has its advantages -- it has a broad menu; 2) it is open early so people who want to dine at 7 can I think it may even by open at 6:30, I go there if I want to dine before a theater performance), 3) it has lots of room so you aren't likely to not be able to get a reservation on short notice (although I have gone there once and could not get in without a reservation, which wasn't usual).

It depends on your goals and planning -- very small neighborhood bistros like Temps des Cerises are good, but often the ambience may not be what you are in the mood for (very crowded, small tables close together--cozy or cramped depending on your view of it), and it may be tough to get in. The menu is not adventurous. It is hardly unknown since Rick Steves recommends it, also, in his guidebooks (and has for years) as well as Travel & Leisure, etc. I'd make a reservation if I wanted to go there with friends. If you just want a small cheaper bistro (although it isn't that cheap IMO), and that's okay, it's a good choice.

I enjoyed Bofingers food too. We celebrated our 40 th wedding anniversary there and will go back next month for our 50 th.

Ackislander - unfortunately this has already happened to just about every decent place in Paris. Don't blame me - you should blame those people who are always blogging about "secret places only locals go to". They're the ones who are really effective - and have ruined many a neighborhood hangout.

Another vote for Bofinger.

I like Bofinger too, but I have another suggestion for you. Le Temps des Cerises. This is a casual but atmospheric little bistro that is packed with locals and is not the least bit touristy. The food is delicious and they have a good wine list. It is on rue de la Cerisaie a side street off Blvd Henri V about two blocks from the back of Ile St. Louis, an easy walk from the Bastille. We stayed in an apt. on rue Castex, the next block over, and ate there twice. We loved it.

BofInger - a beautiful restaurant, lousy meal.( our experience)

Sorry. I just saw Ackislander's comment. I thought I discovered Le Temps des Cerises for the English speaking world. It is a small out of the way neighborhood bistro. The only reason we found it was because our apt. was one block away. They have delicious duck, steak and seafood dishes, but if you want to get adventurous, try the boudin noir (blood sausage). The waiter recommended it to us. He said they make it fresh in house and that it would go perfectly with a good bottle of Bordeaux. He was right. It was delicious. Make a reservation. It is a small family run place and it gets crowded.